Sports: Coach Brewer picks up the slack with Mules hoops

By Pat Turner :
December 28, 2012

Alamo Heights boys' basketball coach Andrew Brewer couldn't have asked for a better debut as the Mules head coach a year ago.

After replacing longtime coach Charles Boggess, Brewer kept Heights' winning tradition intact with a District 27-4A championship and a trip to the Class 4A state tournament.

Now, Brewer is in his second year and there have been no signs of a sophomore jinx taking place. Losing quality players like Jeffrey Rodewald and Shelby Lane left voids to the lineup, but the season has been enjoyable.

The Mules went into last weekend's Byron Nelson tournament with a 14-1 record that included opening 27-4A play with a 64-39 win over Lehman.

“I'm having a blast with this team,” Brewer said. “We have great kids and they have a great sense of humor. They like to have fun but when it's time to get down to business they really do it. They are very competitive.

“Expectations are high. I think a lot of it started last year with Jeffrey Rodewald. He played as hard as he could in games and practice. That has carried over big-time to our other players.”

Heights doesn't have the experience or height as last year's squad. However, the Mules have enough size to get the job done on the boards, especially with 6-foot-9 junior Ben Lammers, who is averaging 15 points and 9.9 rebounds a game while already totaling 75 blocks.

Plus, Heights is loaded with athleticism as evident of the way it pushes the ball down the court and play defense. Several players are making strong contributions.

Max Riemenschneider (averaging 11.9 points as of press time) and Wes Miller (10.7 points), who like Ben Lammers and Drew Dawson were part of last year's state tournament squad, are using their experience to help Alamo Heights' cause.

Several newcomers have also joined in the fun. Ben's younger brother Jim has been on a 3-point shooting tear recently, tying a school-record with seven in a 64-54 victory over Del Rio and adding four in the Mules' 64-42 win over Smithson Valley.

David Favorite and Zach Ford have also done their part during their varsity debuts.

“Ben always gives you around 15 points and 10 rebounds game,” Brewer said. “Max and Wes are doing a lot. Our kids from the JV have taken the bull by the horns.

“We're playing good defense. Rivers Smith (assistant coach) has really done a great job with our defense. He did a lot of research to see what we could do this year to keep Ben in the paint and it's worked well for us.”

Even with talent present, the Mules have something else in their favor. Many of the players grew up aware of Heights' basketball program. Some have older brothers who played before them and the majority attended the Mules' summer camp.

Last year's success also served as a reminder of Heights' rich tradition.

“Our community caught the bug last year when we went to the state tournament,” Brewer said. “It hit our (junior varsity) kids. That's been nice to see the JV kids buy into it and do whatever it takes to keep it going. These kids are passionate about Alamo Heights basketball.”

That passion has led to strong camaraderie. Brewer developed it a little more by taking his Mules to the Byron Nelson tournament in Trophy Club, Texas.

“I like when we get away,” Brewer said. “We know the kids from seeing them on campus, but you really get to know them when you're away. They get to know one another a little better. Everything we do as a team is based on trust and you have that camaraderie to get that.”